Maliksi keeping hopes up as he faces another long wait after latest injury setback

Oft-injured forward Allein Maliksi has been trying to be patient with his rehabilitation while holding on to words of assurance from coach Tim Cone that there will be a place for him at San Mig once he's healthy. Snow Badua

ALLEIN Maliksi may have to wait until the season's third conference before he returns to action for San Mig, but he is keeping his hopes up.

All throughout the ordeal, the oft-injured forward has been trying to be patient with his rehabilitation, fighting off anxiety over a new breed of players out to displace him in the league, and holding on to words of assurance from coach Tim Cone that there will be a place for him at San Mig once he's healthy.

The high-flying former PBA D-League MVP has already started his rehabilition, months after suffering the second ACL injury of his career. But his workouts are limited to light work on a stationary bicycle and squat routines. He is not yet allowed to do jumping and running exercises.

And as the Mixers continue to look for somebody to step up while star player James Yap continues to struggle and sixth man Peter June Simon is on the injured list, Maliksi expressed optimism that San Mig will find a way to win no matter what.

Oft-injured forward Allein Maliksi has been trying to be patient with his rehabilitation while holding on to words of assurance from coach Tim Cone that there will be a place for him at San Mig once he's healthy. Snow Badua

This article originally appeared onTopgear.com.
Minor edits have been made by the TopGear.com.ph editors.